Due to the Khmer genocide in 1975, my father was unfortunately separated from his parents and siblings. After hearing him recount his memories of his family and the war, I tried in vain to search for them for many years in hopes to reunite them.

In late 2017, I bit the bullet and got a 23andMe kit. It was a long shot but in a few short months (2018), I received a match! Soon after, my family and I flew to Seattle from Memphis to reunite my father with his family. I am grateful everyday to be fortunate enough to finally meet “gong” (grandfather) before his death.

In the short time that I got to know him, I learned many things about him. One being his love language was food. If he didn’t cook, he’d like to treat us out to food. He always made sure we were happily fed. Not only will his cooking be missed, I will also miss those mornings of waking up to hearing him sing Chinese opera and his contagious smile/ laughter.

A-gong, I wished I had gotten to know you longer, but I am honored with the time we had. You will be truly missed. I am glad you are no longer in pain and wish your soul to be at peace. Until next time ❤️

My father, as I remembered growing up with him.  

He worked hard to take care his family.  He always  tried to live in his big dream. But never get there. That’s okay. He always found away to do to created his own business so we would have food. 

When ever I were sick he always would check on  me, asked how I’m feeling or needed anything. He had bad Temper but in his heart he was caring, loved father.  

Every time when I cooked. He would come out of his room & checked at me what am I was cooking. He gave me compliments he liked everything I  cooked. How I’m going to miss him eating my cooking food.  And said my cooking was good. 

He was people person, outgoing, funny liked to talk to people  and tell jokes. 

Whoever had met my Dad or knew him and loved him. He was awesome father I had known him all my life.

Ba , you have lived raised all of us. Seen grandchildren’s and great grandchildren.  

Ba , you won’t have anymore pain you are in peace and everyone around you. You will always be missed! I  love you Ba. Good bye Ba.

My Grandfather was a great person from my life, 

though I got to watch him from when he was great. He knew how to teach with little to no words, 

he potty trained me from when I was 3 by letting me watch him go potty, I was disgusted of falling into the toilet until my hip was wide enough not to fall in. 

I loved the way he treated my wants of staying at a mall all day, yet he pacified me by his jokes and antics as well.

 he knew how to lead me by happiness. 

He cooked for the family, and eventually when he couldn’t, he buys us great foods and outings, especially when he would bring us to top gun Dim Sum where I would receive one of my best fortunes whose words inspire me to this day.

When he would see my sadness at the world and my loss he would always assure me with food, 

that was his solution to keeping things simple, and hiding problems I thought were unavoidable. 

Eventually, his health declined in his last few years and so did the things he saw and heard 

he 

did not

deserve 

to feel, 

he felt my pains, I cry, and he cries too. This man has already dealt with so many problems and a rapidly changing world unfair to traditionals, 

yet he tried his best

and I think he did a good job at what he could do… till his last breath.